This kind of giant algae has large, hollow bladders with bulbous ends that float on the
surface of the sea and look like the small shiny dark heads of sea otters for those of us
who are constantly on the lookout for those charming animals.

(A sea otter looks like a short log with a head poking up at one end and flippers
poking up at the other end. I spotted only one sea otter on this visit, and it was quite far
out from shore.)